Hopefully I have just booked into this tour which looks interesting with lots of meat for discussion. The timetable for the day looks great and I’m particularly looking forward to listening to Steve Hollinghurst for his unique insights into connecting with spiritual people in a spiritual age.

On his blog, Steve talks about how he encourages churches to run stalls at Mind, Body and Spirit fairs. At first sight, many will be concerned by this – but why is that the case?

As Christians, we wish to take the gospel to people – so what better place than at a fair where people are searching? Too often I feel we play safe and rather than look to take a risk in presenting Jesus we worry instead about ‘being right’ and worrying what people will think if we do, watch or go to certain things.

A little while ago, for example, I went to an Eminem gig with a friend. It was a great event at which I was able to partake and recognise God. Not many, but a few, people raised eyebrows (one even telling their kids that they had lost respect for me!)and criticised my going as a Christian. More recently, I know people who have been unsure whether it was ok to admit publicly that they watched Little Britain and enjoyed it!

Surely we need to engage with culture. Surely there are no places where Jesus is not on this earth? Surely, we follow a Jesus who mixed with the earthy and real culture of his time?

It’s like we are worried that the Jesus we love so much will rub off of us to be lost from our daily lives. Let’s get out there, rubbing shoulders and praying that the Jesus does rub off! As he does we continually pray for a re-filling and keep going.

Anyway – anyone going to Brighton next Thursday for Equipping your Church?